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🇸🇬 Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

Grim Search for Missing Singaporean Hikers Narrows to Volcanic Sand Mounds on Mount Dukono

From The Straits Times · (23m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Search efforts for two missing Singaporean hikers on Indonesia's Mount Dukono have narrowed to two volcanic sand mounds near the crater.
  • The hikers disappeared after the volcano erupted on May 8, showering climbers with hot rocks and ash.
  • A joint rescue team found the body of an Indonesian woman nearby, with heavy rain and high volcanic activity complicating the search.

The search for two missing Singaporean hikers on Mount Dukono has entered a grim phase, with rescue teams focusing on two small mounds of volcanic sand just meters from where another victim was found. The Indonesian woman's body was partially visible in the ash, a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the active volcano.

The joint rescue team will resume the search on Sunday (May 10), particularly at the two mounds of material that have been marked using Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

— Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB)Describing the narrowed focus of the search efforts for the missing hikers.

The eruption on May 8 sent hot rocks, ash, and debris raining down on climbers, trapping the two Singaporeans. Despite a climbing ban and a 4km exclusion zone, the hikers were on the mountain. This highlights a recurring issue of individuals disregarding safety warnings in pursuit of adventure, a phenomenon often viewed with a mix of concern and frustration by local authorities.

The two locations are strongly suspected to be linked to the two other victims who remain missing.

— Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB)Explaining the significance of the two marked sand mounds in the search operation.

Rescuers faced immense difficulties, including heavy rain and ongoing volcanic activity, which forced them to suspend operations. The challenging terrain of Mount Dukono, located on the remote island of Halmahera, further complicates the recovery efforts. The scene, with rescuers navigating dense forests and slippery volcanic soil, underscores the perilous nature of their mission.

We have been performing physical activities and water rescues among colleagues. The course is quite demanding, but we all support each other. We also receive training in first aid and attention as first responders.

— One of the volunteersDescribing the intensity and collaborative nature of the training.

While seven other Singaporeans from the group have been safely evacuated, the focus remains on locating the two missing individuals. The Straits Times, as a Singaporean publication with deep experience covering Indonesia, provides a crucial perspective on this tragedy, bridging the gap between the two nations and ensuring the story is told with both factual accuracy and empathetic reporting.

This type of preparation is necessary due to the increase in incidents related to immersion in beaches, rivers, and lakes, where every year people are reported missing or drowned.

— One of the lifeguards from SinaprocHighlighting the importance of the training in light of rising water-related incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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